If you're looking for a unique and welcoming bar in New Albany, The Earl is definitely worth a visit. It has a great atmosphere to enjoy a quick drink or settle in and enjoy the evening. The drinks are well made, the bartenders are friendly and attentive, and the overall vibe makes it easy to stay longer than you planned. It's a great spot whether you're going out for a casual night or meeting friends for something a little different from the usual bar scene. What really stands out is the personality of the place. It feels cozy, well put together, and genuinely enjoyable. We've had consistently good experiences and would absolutely recommend giving The Earl a try if you're in New Albany. read more

I've been to The Earl a couple of times and I still don't quite know what to make of it. Each time has been because The Earl is open after all the other bars close. If this place were called "Steve's" or something and had more mundane lighting, I'd wrap my head around it more easily. The bar itself runs down the center of the single room with some four-ups against the wall. Each time, drinks are poured into plastic cups. Prices seem reasonable but portions are smaller than you'll get elsewhere. There's a few on draft, some alright cocktails and a limited food menu. I opted for the pretzel bread and pimento spread and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the freshness, texture, and taste! Music selections fluctuate both genres and volumes. Clientele is pretty relaxed. Its a go-to spot after 10 p.m. read more

See all

A colleague and I were in town for work, and stopped here based on the recommendation of another server at a nearby establishment, and were so pleased with our first time stopping in, that we made a second trip back on day two of our 2.5 day trip. This was by far the best stop we made during our stay in New Albany. The bartender/owner (I believe) was phenomenal and went well out of her way to recommend local spots to eat and drink, all while providing excellent conversation, and first class service. Highly recommend! read more

It smells weird and the drinks suck. I don't think that you want me to put 85 characters.

Nothing fancy here. A bar. A few tables. An outside patio for warmer weather. We visited for a night cap on a slow weeknight. We were promptly greeted by a friendly server. Unfortunately, she didn't know how to make a rusty nail. She wasn't familiar with the drink or drambuie needed to make it. She was willing to research the drink, but we went with Johnny Walker instead. And a shot of Old Forrester on tap. Healthy pours. Clearly a bar that has clientele that prefers beer & straight shots. We didn't see any food served. But the menu had beer cheese & pretzels, cheese & meat trays, and grilled cheese sandwiches. We didn't see any lights on in the back kitchen, so they may only serve food on the weekend. I'd call ahead if you're thinking of grabbing some snacks to go along with your drinks. read more

The Earl - Overview of the bar - Bars Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

See all

First, this place is not 24/7. Navigation will take you to back of the restaurant where you open a black gate and then go through doors to. Or you can walk to your right and make it to the front. It is a bar. The bartender was making food and drinks. With such a small menu to be out of items is bad management. The Italian without salami because they out were $10 no sides no veggies no dressing. I guess if nothing was open it was ok. Posting pics of the menu. also, if you don't have the item's main ingredients, you need to either discount the item or substitute it with something else extra. The bartender was friendly and would probably come back at an earlier time and start drinking. read more

See all

Another New Albany gem. I was last in The Earl summer of 2020 (COVID comments below), but have visited several times since they took over the former Comfy Cow location in downtown NA. Building is very cool & in a perfect location. Long, narrow bar with bar tables leading to an outside seating area. Dark tones and 'earthiness' dominate. Big ol' TVs in the bar area. The Earl bills itself as an 'upscale dive', and I think that's about as apt a description as one could come up with. Typical beer/wine/drinks choices (at reasonable rates), and some interesting signature cocktails for just about every palate. I've tried a couple of the cocktails, and my son tried one of their 'blue drinks' although I was advised long ago never to drink blue drinks (he survived). Apparently there is food - I've never ordered any. Looks pretty good...simple paninis, a charcuterie board, stuff like that. Just enough to keep you drinking but in line with the concept. Overall vibe has been pretty chill the times I've visited, but it's mainly been extremely late or right after opening...can't really speak for what it's like when things are peppy in there. Barkeeps have been super nice, inviting, skilled. *COVID: bartender was masked when I visited in times of COVID (w/no local orders in place except social distancing, masks, and capacity at 75%)...we were the only customers there so felt fine. Design of building probably makes for right quarters when busy. There is a outside area.* Get the The Earl if you haven't already. Well worth your time! read more

The Earl - My son with his non-blue cocktail at The Earl. - Bars Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

I stopped in for a quick drink & it was so good I had 2 This was my first time at The Earl & I was impressed with the old fashioned. Bacon? Cmon it was great. Cool atmosphere inside & out. The server's friends were at the end of the bar so most of her time was spent talking to them. Other than that little blip I'll definitely return read more

The Earls DNA is comprised of mostly dive, with a lot of grandma mixed in. Beers-cold Pours- heavy Music- played off the bar maids phone and it could've been my playlist. My wife and I walked in to this dimly lit shotgun bar that looks like it belongs right where it is and has been for probably the last 150 years. I'm sure the buildings seen lots of change but its character is rooted deep. You feel it upon entry. Long, narrow, dark wood, brick, and glass. Nothing fancy. A few windows but late in the evening, its dark. Found a quiet spot, shared a few drinks, and continued on. Not everyone likes everywhere and I get that. But this place slowed time down for me. It was a soft and satisfying landing after a long roadie. Very grateful to have dropped in. Thanks read more

Update: changing my review to one-star because I am 99% sure that the beer cheese is actually pimento cheese. My takeout order cost more than $40 with tip but is mostly burnt bread and not what I ordered, this is a joke. Tried calling to let them know of this issue, but went to voicemail. Friendly wait staff, but not even joking, they gave me a beer cheese to go with an empty beer cheese (see photo). read more

The Earl - Bars Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

Not many places move me to do a review. I'm in love with The Earl. It's the perfect combination of a great atmosphere with great music piping through, smooth and creative cocktails and food that you would expect to find in a high quality restaurant. The cocktails were delish and great twists. The food: Yum Yum Yum! What I would call heavy apps, everything we had was mouth watering delish. House made pimento cheese, with a kick at the end, was served with soft & salty pretzel bread. I could not stop. The grilled cheese was served in nice bite size triangles and is to die for!! Variety of cheese with candied bacon. Wow! The Ricotta & Honey whip was light and fluffy. I'll be trying the other items next time I go in. The service was spot on. Attentive and enthusiastic servers who could explain the drink and food menu. Our group had a great time. By 9:30 you couldn't find a seat in the place. I rarely go to New Albany but this place will bring me back. Very good and very fun!!! read more

See all

Met a girlfriend at The Earl this evening for apps and beverages. Many thanks for the recommendations! Really like this spot! Excellent bourbon list, delicious apps. Friendly bartender too! They have Stagg JR bourbon for a reasonable $11/neat hearty pour. This is a bit of a unicorn so was happy to have it. The beer cheese and pretzel sticks are great. Nice zing on the cheese. Pretzels warm, cheese cold - FYI. Charcuterie tray was really tasty. Nice selection of hard cheeses, salami and toasted bread with olives, cornichons, spicy mustard and fig jam. I also noticed a very legit espresso machine behind the bar if you're looking for it. Awesome 90's music selection playing. Clean, remodeled historic building with exposed brick and wood floors. Plenty of off street parking and an outdoor seating area too. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at The Earl and highly recommend it! Cheers! read more

See all

We had a great time at The Earl. It feels cozy and has awesome bartenders! Great drinks, atmosphere, and music selection. The place is clean too with plenty of off-street parking and an outdoor seating area. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves there and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for some after-dinner drinks or just a place to come a chill. read more

This place is amazing. Came into town for a quick family visit and The Earl was recommended by a friend. Had The Earl old fashion and wow was it flavorful. Had the Italian panini and it was delicious as well. Bartenders are extremely informative and helpful read more

Walking in to The Earl has the perfect feeling of walking in to a speakeasy in the 20's. The ceiling is tall, the lighting is dim, the walls are old brick or wood, and the only light is that of the windows located on either of the two ends of the shotgun-esque bar. If my heart wasn't already happy enough, white marble countertops line the bar. The bar menu is a swanky 10 homemade concoctions (ranging from $7-$10) with fun, original twists. We, unfortunately, only had time before a show to have one drink but I could tell this was a new haunt for us in New Albany. I had the Uncle Valerie and while the drink came out looking a little kool aid-like with its lavender hue, it was absolutely scrumptious and probably one of my favorite new drinks. We, also, were lucky enough to try the beer cheese spread- pimento cheese like consistency, served cold, and delicious. Even better than the cheese itself, it was perfectly paired with toasted bread slices. All served up on a marble platter - oh my heart. The bartender filled us in that the place gets a little more wild at night on the weekends but while we were there (around 6-730pm on a Friday) it was perfectly cozy and welcoming. Service is fantastic. If you choose not to order from their crafted cocktails menu, the bar is expansive and runs to the ceiling with options sure to please any palate. read more

See all

Absolutely wonderful! First time visit and will definitely return. Beers, charcuterie board and mixed drinks all fabulous!!! Great pours too. read more

The Earl - Bars Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

See all

Went to Earl for some predinner drinks and loved it! Great experience and ambiance. Had The Earl and it was a excellent drink, I could eat a plate of the candied bacon. read more

Returned to The Earl for the beer cheese and pretzel sticks last night. The best! We decided to also try the almond and honey Brie. The Brie was very good and definitely enough toast to use for the Brie and have extras. We also had the margheritta flat bread (whole) and a small Chorizo flatbread. They were just as good as the first time. The Earl is one of the best bars in the New Albany area if not the best. Their signature drink, the Earl, and their small plates are all very good and definitely the best beer cheese in the area. It is a cold spreadable beer cheese. Other signature drinks sound like they would be good and we will eventually try more of them. The staff, Mattie and Mattie are the best. They remembered us when we walked in and took care of all of our needs. Don't forget to try their house made bourbon cream. Wonderful flavor. We will be back often, the best service and bar. read more

See all

Incredible find in New Albany, Indiana!!! Just across the bridge from Louisville, KY. Signature drinks, incredible food (loved the paninis), and fun atmosphere!!! Tad and the crew are priceless. This is a must do!! read more

The Earl - Bars Near Me - New Albany, Indiana

This place was awesome! Mara, Jeremy and Journey were all great. Drinks were on point and good delicious! Be sure to check out the Bill Murray shrine. read more

Good cocktails, cheap beers, and some dang good beer cheese. Also, they have White Claw. #AintNoLawsWhenYoureDrinkinClaws read more

See all

Service was sub par. We waited at the bar for an extended period of time, never got waited on. They were not overly busy. Nobody seemed to care. read more

I spotted this gem on the corner and stopped in for a quick cocktail. There used to be an ice cream shop here so it was a nice set up for a bar. There is gorgeous exposed brick and a classy but comfortable ambiance to this spot. We seated ourselves at a hightop and a waitress quickly approached with menus. She was super sweet but when I asked for a recommendation on a gin cocktail, she basically froze. She wound up stating there's a new gin cocktail but she didn't know the name of it or what was in it but that if I didn't like it she would replace it for something else..I said screw it and ordered it anyways. The drink was a blue/purple color and tasted like kool aid. Don't get me wrong..I love kool aid but I couldn't have drank more than one of these sugary drinks. My boyfriend had The Earl which was practically an Old Fashioned with bacon in it. He said it tasted like bacon grease. I feel bad giving this place 3 stars but I will be back to try to charcuterie boards and a different cocktail next time around so I will review again. read more

See all

Great place. Cozy. Bartenders are awesome! Great drinks and armosphere.atmosphere. Love this place.

Total speakeasy! They nailed it right down to the same flat screen tv's and outdoor patio they used to have at all the speak Easy's in the 20's! I thought I stepped back in time! #zootsuit. #omgmoonshine #betteroffgoingtofloydcountybrewery read more

I had the Gin-U-Wine cocktail and from the late night menu, the jalapeño pimento cheese pretzels. The pretzels were delicious! I could have eaten those just by themselves. The drink was great too! Prices were great too! The staff were very attentive! Definitely will have to go back for the more extended menu just based off read more

You have to get the Expresso w/ bourbon cream! They make their own cream for the expresso. Hands down best in town!

Had a blast coming here pre cov. beer is great people are awesome what more could you want in a drinking establishment 100% chill

Outstanding food and drinks! They know what they're doing and execute at a high level.

My friend and I tried calling ahead (we are both 20) to see if we could just place an order for carry out off the food menu. As soon as we walked in we were asked for our ID's before we could get a word in. We tried to explain to them that we had tried calling. My friend was cut off in the middle of trying to talk to the lady. We were told "absolutely not you can't be in here." Neither of us minded not being able to get served because our age but there was absolutely no need for the staff to present that in such a rude way. A simple "so sorry but we are not able to serve you all" would've been nice. Long story short, poor customer service. read more

Came here for an after dinner cocktail on Valentine's Day with my my husband. Was excited to try it out. The building and decor was amazing. However the music playing was beyond offensive. Was so uncomfortable that we left within 5 minutes. Really disappointed. read more

This is my all time favorite bar. I go here pretty much daily. You can get cheap beers to craft beers and fancy cocktails or not so fancy. Wine as well! The atmosphere and the staff are what really keep me coming back all the time. Super cool and nice bartenders. The food is great as well, and fresh. Everyone should at least come in once and try it out, you will probably come back for more. read more